PaperSpecs
PaperSpecs is a team on a mission: Because every designer deserves the tools and resources to create
Ever wondered how clean vs. messy designers' desks really are..? Well here's your answer!
Get to know some of the speakers joining us in Chicago this month at PaperSpecs LIVE on September 26th!
In this video we have our founder, Sabine Lenz, as well as:
Alyssa Low - Chicago Designer & Muralist
Scout Driscoll of DesignScout
Elaine Palutsis of VSA Partners
And not in this video, but also speaking on the 26th, is Tanner Woodford - Founder/Executive Director of the Design Museum of Chicago
👉 Get your ticket to hear from these speakers (and access a whole lot more) at PaperSpecsLIVE.com
On top of these insightful speakers, join us for how-to workshops, inspiration, trends, networking, and so many paper and print samples that you might even be tempted to bring an extra suitcase to bring them all home!
06/09/2024
Every once in a while they let me (Sabine) out for good behavior... 😉
This time it was for a special event at the Center for Architecture + Design, San Francisco - a preview of an exhibit - DESIGN + THE CITY - curated by my good friend Kit Hinrichs of Studio Hinrichs
It features one-of-a-kind, limited-edition works crafted by some of the Bay Area’s top designers.
If you don't know the two gentlemen I'm pictured with here, you might know their work.
You'll remember Kit Hinrichs from our April webinar about "sensory packaging." (PROs can check out the replay in the PRO Portal.)
And Craig Frazier from this gorgeous wine label: https://buff.ly/4g8Lkdj
Oh, and the lovely women with me in the photo are Sharon, Kathleen, and Linda!
I better get back to packing for PRINTING United Alliance now – I'll see you there if you're going!
(And as Mark Twain once said, "If I had more time I would have written you a shorter letter." 😉)
Recharge your creative batteries and gain a fresh perspective at the largest print and paper focused design conference of the year - PaperSpecs LIVE - created specifically for people who love print!
✅ Get inspired by these incredible boundary-pushing speakers:
Scout Driscoll of DesignScout
Alyssa Low - Chicago Designer & Muralist
Elaine Palutsis of VSA Partners
Tanner Woodford - Founder/Executive Director of the Design Museum of Chicago
✅ Access 4 different how-to workshops to gain a competitive edge
✅ Take home print samples galore! (As many as you want! Seriously!)
✅ Network with like-minded professionals, industry experts, service providers, etc.
✅ Plus even more value, inspiration, and fun in store that you won't want to risk missing out on!
👉 Get your ticket (and more info) to join us in Chicago on September 26th at PaperSpecsLIVE.com
We can't wait to see you in less than 3 weeks! 🤩
Elegant menus for a speakeasy inspired by the James Bond films. Are we expected to just grab a quick drink and go? "No Mr. Bond, we expect you to dine."
🔥 Check out more details here: https://buff.ly/43lfemT
Hot foil stamping was a clever choice for this project, but there are so many foil options out there for you to use on your future projects! Get the FREE ultimate foil guide here: https://buff.ly/3OVygvK
Design: Mucca Design
Printing: Masterpiece Printers
Paper: Domtar Everyday
04/09/2024
Whether you’re designing wall graphics, VIP tickets, parking placards, or other event collateral, you NEED to get your hands on MGX ’s ‘Go Pro’ Kit now!
🔥 Win your kit here: https://buff.ly/3MQAf3f
Not enough designers know how EASY this technique is!
It's so simple, and yet instantly has the power to enhance your design. Can you imagine all the use cases for this?!
This project utilized perfect binding, but there are so many fabulous binding techniques out there!
We gathered them in a master Binding Guide that you can get for free here: https://buff.ly/3VfpigG
Featured in this video: Mohawk / Mitchel Digital / TAXI Advertising, Montreal
30/08/2024
‼️ Very important question! ‼️ Which pizza style is better?! 🍕
Deep dish pizza? Or New York style pizza?
We're currently daydreaming about having deep dish pizza when in Chicago for PaperSpecs LIVE in LESS THAN 4 WEEKS. 🤤
Is deep dish pizza worth the hype?!
And if you're a print lover who wants to join us in Chicago on September 26th, feel free to get more info (and your ticket) to the ultimate print and paper event of the year at PaperSpecsLIVE.com 😉
The small size of this warranty holder posed HUGE production challenges. Why? Let's just say it's all in "the fine print." (Isn't it always? 🙄)
🔥 Check out more details here: https://buff.ly/3yVcDHi
While this project uses hot foil stamping throughout, there are several different ways to add foil to your printed projects.
We gathered them in a FREE foil guide for you here: https://buff.ly/3OVygvK
Design: EYE6 Productions
Production: highresolution printing
Paper: MyCordenons / Sappi North America
Last month we had a "Paper Party" at CreativePro Week - and the feedback was incredible! 🥳
Along with the feedback you see here, some samples of other comments were:
"The party of the century!!!" 🎉
"Super helpful, informative and FUN!" 🤩
"An immersive experience that was worth all the wonderful samples." 😍
"Above and beyond!!" 🙌
While we're SO glad so many people enjoyed the paper and print festivities, the Paper Party was only a small taste of the magic you can experience at our full-day paper and print extravaganza - PaperSpecs LIVE - which is only a few weeks away!
The ultimate jam-packed-day for any paper or print lover is coming up on September 26th in Chicago!
Make sure to get your ticket (and more info) at PaperSpecsLIVE.com 🥳
Come celebrate the world of paper and print with us! 🎉🎉🎉
Looks can be deceiving 👀 (in the best way possible.)
Designers... did you know you could enhance your client's brand messaging with even the binding technique you use? This printed piece by Caliber Creative is a great example of just that.
There are so many fabulous binding options out there for you to use; we gathered them in one master guide that you can get for FREE here: https://buff.ly/3VfpigG
Did you know that you can digitally add foil to your printed projects?!
There are TWO distinct technologies to accomplish this shiny foil look - even when on a budget - and we'll be having workshops on BOTH methods at PaperSpecs LIVE!
👉 Join these can't miss workshops at PaperSpecsLIVE.com
PLUS there will be two other additional workshop topics on top of these, as well as boundary-pushing speakers, print samples galore, inspiration, trends, networking, and so much more!
Experience the ultimate print and paper focused design conference for yourself on September 26th in Chicago!
👉 Get your ticket (and more info) at PaperSpecsLIVE.com 🥳
Foil Workshop 1 with: Matt Redbear / Taktiful
Foil Workshop 2 with: Alex Donoho / Indigo Ink
This foil-rich packaging for NFT-related collectible cars is brought to you by "Degenerate Apes" and "Trash Pandas" (Please don't ask us to explain these names... or NFTs in general.)
🔥 Check out more details here: https://buff.ly/3QvpRko
Hot foil stamping might have been used here, but there are so many foil options out there! For the ultimate guide to your options for adding foil to YOUR future projects, get our FREE foil guide here: https://buff.ly/3OVygvK
Design: NVRLand Labs
Printing: Fastkit
21/08/2024
What’s worse than someone borrowing your new Mohawk Mosaic Selector and not returning it? Not having one in the first place! (Unthinkable! 😕)
🔥 Win your own copy of the Mohawk Mosaic Selector here: https://buff.ly/4fV55VI
Believe it or not, achieving a beautiful reflective pattern like this can be done *without* hot foil stamping - in quite an easy way!
As you can see, knowing your foil options and choosing the right type of foil technique for your project matters, and there are so many foil options out there!
Get our completely free foil guide for yourself here: https://buff.ly/3OVygvK
Design: Hagopian Ink / Printing: highresolution printing / Paper: WestRock
🚨🚨🚨 THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!! 🚨🚨🚨 TODAY is the LAST DAY to get Early Bird tickets to THE largest print and paper focused design conference of the year - PaperSpecs LIVE!
Enjoy a full day jam-packed with how-to workshops, insightful speakers, inspiration, trends, networking, and as many paper and print samples to take home as your heart desires!
Don't miss out on your LAST CHANCE to get a discounted Early Bird ticket! Tickets (and more info) can be found at: PaperSpecsLIVE.com
Join us next month for the ultimate conference created specifically for designers who ❤️ print - September 26th in Chicago!
This whiskey packaging is so opulent, it could easily be mistaken for a priceless work of art from some far-flung land…
🔥 Check out more details here: https://buff.ly/46OHcLm
🔥 Hot foil stamping can really elevate your projects, but there are many foil options for you to utilize in your future projects! Get our FREE foil guide here: https://buff.ly/3OVygvK
👀 Want to see how YOU can create stunning pieces like this? Then come to PaperSpecs LIVE in Chicago on Sept. 26th, where you can attend a workshop conducted by Rohner Press, the makers of this piece!
Also enjoy insightful speakers, trends, networking, and take home as many print samples as you can carry!
👉 Tickets (and more info) can be found at: PaperSpecsLIVE.com
TOMORROW is the LAST DAY for EARLY BIRD tickets, so make sure to get your ticket now before prices go up!
Design: Spirit Investment Partners
Production: Rohner Press
Paper: Winter & Co. / Neenah Paper and Packaging
Do YOU know about the power of short covers?!
More designers need to know about this underutilized technique. What are your thoughts on this?!
There are so many fabulous binding techniques out there, and we put together a master guide that even includes info on when to use each one for your print needs.
Get our free Binding Guide for yourself here: https://buff.ly/3VfpigG
Featured in this video: BindTech / Mohawk / Mitchel Digital / TAXI Advertising, Montreal
Recharge your creative batteries at the largest print and paper focused design conference of the year - PaperSpecs LIVE!
Enjoy a full day jam-packed with how-to workshops, insightful speakers, inspiration, trends, networking, and as many paper and print samples to take home as your heart desires!
Get ready for the ultimate conference created specifically for designers who ❤️ print on September 26th in Chicago.
This is the LAST WEEK for EARLY BIRD tickets, so make sure to get your ticket now before prices go up!
Tickets (and more info) can be found at: PaperSpecsLIVE.com
We can't wait to see you next month!
09/08/2024
Today is National Book Lovers Day - and while most people probably think of classic chapter books with strictly typed text on the pages... we aren't most people here.
Yes, we love a good story, but we also can't help but be drawn to the magical world of pop-up books.
In the photo here is ‘The Babadook’ Pop-up Book, which was brought to life when “Babadook” writer/director Jennifer Kent partnered with paper engineer Simon Arizpe and illustrator Alexander Juhasz to create this limited edition book, published through Insight Editions, with only 6,200 copies in total.
You can explore this collector's book for yourself here: https://buff.ly/3LVcmXM
Feel free to let us know in the comments if you have any other book recommendations for us to check out. 😉
P.S. If Paper & Print Inspiration is your thing, then you'll probably want to join our free weekly newsletter for print inspiration galore! Join at PaperSpecs.com/SignUp
Thanks to a surprising foiling technique and clear gloss varnish, you’d almost swear this trippy gin label is moving. 😲
🔥 Check out more details here: https://buff.ly/3UQV2r1
Design: SingleDouble / Igor Morski
Printing: MCC Label
Paper: Fedrigoni Special Papers
Cold foiling was the perfect foil technique for this project, but there are plenty of ways to add foil to your project depending on your needs -- and our free foil guide has all the information you need in one place.
Get our FREE foil guide here: https://buff.ly/3OVygvK
05/08/2024
Loving the new episode of Underscore, the Chicago Graphic Design Club's podcast, featuring our own Sabine Lenz!
Here she shares her thoughts on the power of print and provides a preview of what you can expect at PaperSpecs Live in Chicago – the largest paper-and-print design conference in the U.S. – taking place on Sept. 26th.
Thanks so much to Underscore Host Christian Solorzano for a delightful conversation!
Listen to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2gsGx9eDRsj0i6Mtcw0A3i
Get your Early Bird ticket to PaperSpecs Live: https://paperspecslive.com/
When you need to make the perfect impression... keep this technique in mind. 🧠 💥
For more print tips, inspiration, and beyond, join our weekly newsletter at buff.ly/3X9hUo7
Pucker up for an intricate riff on “The Kiss,” complete with 10 (!) different Digital Foils and a final 🌟 surprise!
🔥 Check out more details here: https://buff.ly/46tNyPR
Design: Meg Kirkpatrick
Production: Indigo Ink
Paper: WestRock
Digital foil is a great option for your projects, and you can experience a deep dive how-to workshop on this die-less “Sleeking” process - directly from Alex Donoho from Indigo Ink who worked on this project - at PaperSpecs LIVE in Chicago on September 26th! Get more info and (EARLY BIRD!) tickets at: PaperSpecsLIVE.com
ALSO - you can get an overview of your foil options with our FREE foil guide here: https://buff.ly/3OVygvK
Are foil embellishments worth it?! Can you make-do with metallic gold ink instead?!
This is a debate many designers face. 🤔
Here's a side-by-side comparison so you can be the judge... which one do you think looks better? 😏
Your budget or print-run size shouldn't hold you back from achieving the look you desire. Our completely free foil guide is a must-have resource so you can quickly know exactly which foil type is best for your projects.
Get our free foil guide here: https://buff.ly/3OVygvK
P.S. The notebooks in this video are by Field Notes
29/07/2024
If you want to know about the state of our economy... spend a few hours at Sephora 💁♀️
Forbes calls it the "Lipstick Index" - yep, this is a real thing! 💄
If our economy is going south, lipstick sales go up. Who knew?!
Today being National Lipstick Day made us think of one of our past [unboxed] events where Debra Gutman from Sappi North America brought this up in a breakout session.
Why does this matter to you as a designer?
Because it's important to keep in mind that packaging for certain types of products, (such as lipstick,) is worth investing in "higher-end" packaging options for, even in a shaky economy; and this type of knowledge can help you impress your clients.
We love learning fun new things from our paper and print partners!
Recharge your creative batteries at the largest print and paper focused design conference.
Get inspired by these incredible boundary-pushing speakers!
Scout Driscoll of DesignScout
Alyssa Low - Chicago Designer & Muralist
Elaine Palutsis of VSA Partners
Tanner Woodford - Founder/Executive Director of the Design Museum of Chicago
You'll also get access to how-to workshops, print samples galore, networking, and SO much more by joining us in Chicago on September 26th at PaperSpecsLIVE.com
Early bird tickets are available right now!
Get your ticket to unlocking the ultimate conference for print lovers NOW before prices go up: PaperSpecsLIVE.com
The side-by-side photo books accompanying this soundtrack bring the ‘Moonlight’ movie to life in new and profound ways.
🔥 Check out more details here: https://buff.ly/44nWJAi
Design: Perron-Roettinger
Printing: ENPOINTE
Client: A24
Paper: Sappi North America
P.S. While smyth binding was the perfect fit for this project, there are so many binding options out there. For the ultimate guide to picking the right technique to use on YOUR future projects, get our completely free binding guide here: https://buff.ly/3VfpigG
How clever is this?!
Sure, they could have gone the traditional route with their brochure, but doesn't this inspire you to do something a bit unexpected?!
Something like this helps make your print project truly memorable.
A clever twist on swiss binding was the perfect choice for this brochure, but when you need to figure out the perfect binding for YOUR print projects, our FREE binding guide gives you all the info you need.
Get it here: https://buff.ly/3VfpigG
Design: Watson & Co. / Printing: DataGraphic / Paper: Mohawk
PaperSpecs
PaperSpecs is a small, independent team on a mission: To make this world a better place through great design by providing inspiring, objective, practical, up-to-date information about paper and printing technologies via easy-to-digest tips and tricks, entertaining back stories, and expert insights. PaperSpecs helps to guide creatives from their initial inspirations to the meticulously designed, beautifully printed and finished projects print and paper lovers cherish. PaperSpecs is exclusively for designers, print buyers and paper professionals who feel a deep passion for the tactile and powerful experience that is paper and print. Learn more at www.paperspecs.com.
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